USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 26
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J. E. Harroun began holding meetings for the establishment of school organizations in all parts of the county. He spent several months visiting every township and putting the school districts in much better condition than ever before. He did more than any other person, except Tyler McWhorter, to place the new system and new order of educational affairs in a permanent and improved condition. He held special meetings in the Edward's Schoolhouse, Monroe Schoolhouse, J. W. Lane's Select School in Millersburg, where there were twenty-eight pupils, Pomeroy Schoolhouse, in Dun- can Township, Jingle's Schoolhouse, Antioch Schoolhouse, in New Boston Township, Pleasant View Schoolhouse in New Boston Town- ship, Center, Glancey and Eliza Creek schoolhouses in Eliza Town- ship, and numerous other places. He recommended the following books, which soon were found in nearly all the schools of the county : Sander's and McGuffy's readers and spellers; Adam's, Davies' and Ray's arithmetics; Mitchell's geography and Clark's grammar.
In 1859 Rev. J. S. Poage was elected county school commis- sioner. He visited during the winter of 1859-60 thirty schools and delivered twenty lectures at central points throughout the county. He was very active and energetic as a school orator and his influence did a great deal to advance the educational interests. He found
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great fault throughout the county in his addresses with the habit of school patrons of paying no attention to the school after employing the teacher and after choosing the directors. They rarely ever visited schools, seemed to care little for the methods of instruction, but trusted almost wholly either to the teacher or to the county school commissioner. He declared that they had more interest in their corn fields than in their children and stated that many stables and barns throughout the county were better than the average school- house. In a few instances he likened the schoolhouses to hog pens. He insisted in eloquent language that parents should cooperate with teachers in their work, should visit the schools, should take school journals and otherwise should know what instruction their children were receiving and what progress they were making. His lectures were scorching and progressive and caused a revolution in the minds of parents concerning their duties to the teachers and the public- school system.
In October, 1864, W. L. Campbell, school commissioner, made a full report on the condition of the schools of the county since December, 1863. During that time he visited all the schools of the county, remaining all day at many of them. His object was to sug- gest improvements in the methods of instruction and government. At the same time he held many interviews with the parents and delivered addresses to the pupils, pointing out how better results could be secured.
In August, 1866, Sylvenus B. Atwater, school superintendent, held regular examinations of teachers in Aledo, Viola and Sunbeam. In order to secure a first grade certificate the applicant must possess a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of all the studies required by the school law, aptness to teach, ability to govern, an acquaintance with the theory and practice of teaching and generally must have had one year of successful teaching in the schoolroom. To secure a second grade certificate the applicant was not expected to have such a comprehensive knowledge nor all the requirements.
In 1870-71 F. W. Livingston, county superintendent, having been accused with palpable violation of the law and having had his case investigated by a special committee of the county board, appeared before that body upon request, in June, 1871, and defended himself against the charge. He made such a thorough analysis and success of his defense that the board directly dismissed the charges against him, approved his course in the case indicated and passed a resolution condemning and dropping the whole subject.
In 1872 Miss Amanda Frazier was elected county superintendent. She was successful from the start and greatly liked for her efforts
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and her amiability. In 1874 the county board showed a disposition to cut her wages down and to limit her time spent in the country schools. She offered a written objection to their course and claimed that it was necessary for her to have sixty days yearly for the examina- tion of teachers, ten days for preparing records and reports to the state superintendent, eighteen days to make out her annual report based upon the assistance from all the schools of the county, and twelve days for additional duties. She therefore asked payment for 100 days' service. Her paper was so clear and strong that the county board were convinced of its fairness and justice and accordingly her request was granted.
In March, 1875, Miss Frazier, county superintendent, gave public notice to the school directors throughout the county that she should oppose their practice of continuously employing persons as teachers who had not secured certificates. She described how damaging such a custom was to the progress of the educational movement and requested the directors to assist in checking such unprofessional prac- tices. She stated that if they persisted in employing teachers with- out certificates she would invoke the law to prevent them from pay- ing public funds to such persons. She pointed out to what extent the law opposed such procedure. She gave so strong a plea that its effect was almost instantaneous in the direction of a discontinuance of the practice. She announced that no first or second grade certifi- cate would be renewed and that new examinations annually would be held. She stated also that this step was necessary in order to com- pel the delinquent or idle teachers to study methods and thus keep up with the times. She even went so far as to decline to endorse cer- tificates issued by other county superintendents of the state.
In May, 1875, at her request, she read an important article to the county board in the interest of education throughout the county. Such a good impression was created that the board secured the address and had it published in the local papers and spread it upon the records. This year she was given fifty days additional to the time already granted in which to visit schools throughout the county. Her success as superintendent was pronounced and emphatic. She made greater advance than had been made by any superintendent since the '50s, when Tyler McMorter, J. E. Harroun and Rev. J. S. Poage made such uncommon and unprecedented changes in the school system of the county. She established the first Teachers' Normal School at Aledo in August, 1875. On that occasion over one hundred teachers were present, owing to her energy and determi- nation shown in the way of announcements and her private com-
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munications to the individual teachers. She managed to secure here the presence of S. M. Etter, state superintendent of public instruc- tion, who lectured before the school near the close. The session lasted four weeks and among the instructors present were Miss A. E. Frazier, county superintendent, Miss Mary A. West, J. E. Har- roun and William Griffin. Lectures were delivered by Miss Sophia Lovejoy, Isaac N. Bassett and Professor Standish. Pupils came from every township in the county, mostly women, and the improvements during the four weeks' instruction can scarcely now be measured by modern standards. This session was but the beginning of what followed in after years.
In 1876 the Normal School was represented and on this occasion I28 teachers were present. Special instruction was given for kinder- garten teachers. Several prominent educators from abroad were present and took part in the proceedings as the days passed. Among the lecturers were Miss West and Professor Bateman. Every subject connected with education was discussed, analyzed and held up for the inspection of the teachers and for their professional and mental improvement. Special attention was given to concentration, culture, conscience and moral subjects generally.
In 1877 the Normal School accomplished still better and more effective and far-reaching results. S. M. Etter, state superintendent, was present on more than one occasion and delivered memorable addresses. He spoke in highest terms of the benefit dispensed by this normal course. His lectures were delivered at Union Hall and in point of merit they perhaps exceeded any addresses ever delivered in Aledo up to that time on educational subjects. In one of his lec- tures he stated that the Mercer County Normal School was scarcely second to any other in the state in discipline, drill and the proficiency of the teachers. He declared that in attendance and attention it headed the list in the state. He paid a high compliment to the great energy and professional enterprise of County Superintendent Miss Frazier. He did not hesitate to say openly that she was one of the very few most proficient instructors and superintendents in the state. At the conclusion of the term in 1877 the teachers present issued the following card, which they signed.
A Card .- The Normal Drill, which has been in session in this place for the past four weeks, now draws to a close. From a state- ment made by Hon. S. M. Etter, state superintendent of schools, we have a drill second to none in the state; therefore
We the teachers of Mercer County, believing this to be due to the efficient manner in which the school affairs of the county have
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been conducted for the past four years and in view of the interest awakened among the teachers; of the manner in which the drill has been conducted; of the standard to which our schools have been raised, and the interest manifested by our citizens generally in educa- tion, tender our thanks to Miss A. E. Frazier, county superintendent, for her efficient and untiring efforts in the discharge of all the duties pertaining to the office; for marked justice and discriminations in examinations and for the kindness and courtesy with which she ever meets her fellow teachers; therefore
Resolved, That as the past labors of Miss A. E. Frazier have been so highly satisfactory we cordially and respectfully recommend her reelection.
Resolved, That our thanks are also tendered to all the instructors in the drill for their kindness and valuable instruction. (Signed) H. R. Turner, Will Hille, J. A. McCrory, A. B. Candell, B. F. Eckley, J. W. Dorland, Daniel E. Cline, Richard Wolfe, Charles E. Bentley, Nantie Henry, Melissa Fleming, Cora D. Harvey, Martha J. Christie, Nettie Pinkerton, M. F. McCrory, Debbie Cum- mins, Lizzie Gilchrist, M. E. Wolfe, May C. Sheriff, Josie Mathers, Beckie Gray, Susie Calhoun, Mary L. Thornboon, Maggie Manning, Katie Craig, Sadie L. Stewart, Emma Law, Jennie Smith, Louis Bartlett, Celia Bartlett, Clara E. Morris, Jane Henderson, Minnie Bentley, Vergie Robinson, Alice Watson, Mary Scudder, May M. Travis, Florence Adams, Fannie Sheriff, Ida Morris, W. R. Turner, Hattie Pullen, Della Allen, Sadie Candor, May Allen, Mina Hunck, Loomice Smith, Ollie Byers, John Haughie, Warren W. Robins, C. Grosgean, W. S. Ross, K. M. Whitham, G. W. Bridger, Charles M. Peters, Joseph A. Goding, J. E. Harroun, John Erwin, S. J. Mason, J. P. Campbell, J. Cabeen, F. A. Boggs, S. D. Willits, Della Mc- Whorter, Mary Sharer, Ella M. Gaily, Camilla Reed, Emma Craw- ford, Minnie Merritt, Carrie C. Henry, Geneva Farran, P. A. Willits, Mary Mitchell, Mattie Bradford, L. P. Gibson, Mary Rob- inson, Ella Cabeen, Clara E. Hudson, Mary Somers, Una Evans, Retta M. Cooper, Eva Lloyd, Ida A. Huyck, Mary Passomore, Jennie Henry, T. H. Cornell, Fannie Cornell, Clema Harriott, Anna Galloway, A. G. Snyder, Lula Bassett, Minnie Cabeen, Lydia Anderson, Dora Harroun, Lena Harriott, Ella McDuogal, Rettie G. Kincaid, Imogene Webster, Nettie Patterson, Mary H. Comtort, Tabitha Saxon, H. H. Jewell, S. P. Wylie, Frank Herbert, M. L. Heflin, O. C. David, B. V. Leonard, Charles McKee, Lizzie Henry, James S. Dalrymple.
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In 1881 the Viola public schools were conducted by S. P. Wylie, formerly of the Aledo Collegiate Institute, principal, and Mrs. Fleming, Miss Clemma Harriott and Mrs. Mattie Henry, assistants. In the principal's room were about forty pupils and in each of the others about thirty-five.
In October, 1881, the Joy School had an enrollment of forty-seven pupils and an average attendance of 38.9. Miss Una Evans was the teacher.
In December, 1881, the New Boston schools were in charge of D. F. S. Johnson, principal, with 43 scholars; Mrs. Irene Willits, 39 pupils; Miss Essie Vaughn, 39 pupils, and Miss Tena Smith, 42 pupils.
In September, 1882, the Aledo schools were taught by the follow- ing teachers: Alexander Stevens, principal; Mary E. Turnbull, assistant; Kenneth Whitham, grammar department; Miss Nan A. Campbell, fifth grade; Miss Lizzie Hause, fourth grade; Miss Zevie Miller, third grade; Mrs. M. A. Hall, second primary; Miss May I. Allen, first primary, and Miss Aggie McCoy, also first primary. At this time the enrollment was 420, with an average attendance of 388.
In October, 1883, the Swedona public schools had fifty-nine scholars. F. E. Matson taught the upper room and Miss Mina Mc- Kinney the lower or primary room. In 1883 Keithsburg established a high school, but the details concerning the same are missing. The second annual commencement was held in May, 1885, and was attended by nearly all the inhabitants. There was a graduating class of nine or ten. Several prominent educators from abroad were present and addressed the graduates.
In December, 1888, the County Teachers' Institute held a two days' session and the exercises consisted principally of instruction in the common branches. Papers on many important school subjects were read and classes were conducted by the leading teachers of the county. At that time K. M. Whitham was county superintendent. Nearly all teachers of the county were present at the session. Late in the 'Sos the subject of township high schools came before the teachers of this county. It was an important question and, at first met with great encouragement, but when the subject came to be investigated it was found that the work and expense were too great to be borne at that time. The patrons themselves objected, even though the teachers were in favor of the project. The plan was to have a central high school in every township which would serve as an advanced educational institution for the common schools of that township. The question was submitted to a vote in several of
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the townships but invariably was defeated. In Mercer Township the vote was, for the high school, 45; against it, 295. The people were not ready yet for this innovation.
In February, 1889, the County Teachers' Association met at Viola. Among the exercises were the following: Class recitations conducted by Miss Ferson; then followed singing by the Viola high- school pupils. The subject of "Special examinations" was then discussed, G. N. Kneeland being the leader, and Superintendent Whitham being one of the principal speakers. J. R. Wylie responded to the subject "What is the Best Method of Conducting Our Asso- ciation." Miss May David entertained the association with "Quota- tions of Schoolroom Maxims." Other papers were read by Miss Ora Stratton and Miss Lizzie Carnahan. The association had a query box which elicited much amusement as well as furnished no little instruction.
In May, 1889, the Legislature passed a compulsory educational law, which required that children of school age should attend school a certain number of months each year.
In 1890 there were eight teachers in the public schools of Aledo. In Keithsburg there were seven. At that time K. M. Whitham was principal of the Keithsburg public schools.
The county superintendent in 1888 reported that greater interest than ever before was shown by teachers, patrons and pupils through- out the county. The township central examinations which had been instituted a short time before and for which diplomas were granted, were highly successful. One hundred and forty pupils passed the examination and received such diplomas in 1888. Many of the holders immediately thereafter entered the high schools, to which the diploma entitled them. These examinations made the examina- tion days of the past no longer bugbears.
In November, 1890, the following were the exercises at the Teachers' Institute : Arithmetic, C. L. Gregory; Penmanship, W. S. Bowers; Physiology, W. S. Welch; Compulsory Education, J. A. Dixon; Primary Classes, Miss Alfaretta Fisher; Literature in the Common School, J. M. Brosius; What to Teach in History, George Bloomer; School Needs, Richard Russell; Uniformity of Text Books, K. M. Whitham; Higher Institutions of Learning, C. F. Ainsley; Class Work, F. K. Warwick; The Teacher, Miss Mabel Pepper; Professional Training, J. R. Kasbeer; Teacher and Citizens, L. B. Cocklin. At that time K. M. Whitham was county superintendent. He was a practical teacher and took pride in securing the best results from the teachers as well as from the pupils. He took the
HIGH SCHOOL, ALEDO
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ground that the teacher was more responsible than any other person for the proper and rapid advancement of pupils, and further, that the teacher was often the cause of the backwardness of children with certain temperaments.
In 1891-2 Alexander Calhoun was county superintendent. Dur- ing his short term he made considerable progress in sanitary work in the public schools. In all the cities he insisted upon better condi- tions and succeeded in placing the houses under better care and sur- roundings. In all new houses he insisted that proper attention should be paid to light and ventilation. The surroundings were also im- proved under his urgency.
In 1893 literary exercises were instituted in the high schools of the county and in many of the grammar grades. It was found that school libraries were not thought to be very important and that they had been neglected in the past. Accordingly a new movement for improvement in this respect was instituted and steadily carried into effect. High school athletics received considerable prominence about this time. Football was played between high school teams of the different villages and cities of this county. A game played at Keiths- burg by the Aledo and Keithsburg high school football teams was won by the former, but the return game was taken by the latter.
In 1894 C. L. Gregory became county superintendent. He was a practical teacher, and the fact that he has held the position until the present time is proof of his ability, skill and prominence in his official position. In his first report to the state superintendent he stated that experience, preparation and salary guided the school boards in the selection of teachers in this county. There was a grow- ing demand, he said, for teachers with normal training and special preparation. There had been no meetings of school patrons, as had been suggested. Institutes and teachers' meetings were later valuable and popular. There was as yet no uniformity of text-books. Central examinations were held each year in March and the finals in April or May. An average of one hundred and thirty-five took the former examination and about thirty the latter. Child study had at this time awakened much interest throughout the county.
In January, 1894, a fine new school building at Millersburg was opened to the pupils. County Superintendent Gregory was present and addressed the assemblage. T. A. Vernon was present and gave an amusing description of the crude conditions in the early schools. This year Norma and Mabel Pepper started a kindergarten in Aledo and soon had about twenty-five children in attendance. The Keiths-
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burg High School Commencement in May, 1894, graduated seventeen pupils-eleven females and six males. Kenneth M. Whitham had been connected with this institution for many years, although for a short time he was county superintendent. Up to and including 1894, ninety-two young ladies and gentlemen had graduated from this school. Mrs. Whitham had taught nearly as long in Keithsburg as Professor Whitham. Both were popular and in reality were excel- lent instructors. The same year the Seventeenth Annual Commence- ment of the Aledo High School occurred. There was a large crowd and nine girls and three boys were graduated. At this time Prof. P. J. Kuntz was superintendent of the school. Exercises were held in the Presbyterian Church. The Alumni Association met soon afterwards and reviewed old times.
In 1895 Prof. Henry R. Musser had charge of the Keithsburg schools. He had occupied the position for several years, but soon after this date resigned.
In September, 1895, the public schools of Aledo enrolled 491 pupils-the largest number ever recorded thus far. At this time Miss Mabel Pepper was principal of the public schools and Char- lotte Stetson, first assistant. Nine other teachers gave instruction in the lower grades. In 1895-6 the Viola high schools were the pride of the people of that village. Professor Miller was princi- pal and had several assistants. In 1896-7 the curfew law was put into effect in Aledo and perhaps in other cities in the county. It was in operation at New Windsor, Keithsburg and perhaps at Viola and New Boston. The hour for retirement was 8 o'clock in winter and 9 o'clock in summer. After those hours children under the age of sixteen years were required to be off the streets.
In 1899 Mercer County made great efforts to secure the new normal school, which was designed to be located in the western part of Illinois. A large subscription was raised here but the com- missioners, after viewing many locations, finally decided against this city.
In 1898-1900 Superintendent C. L. Gregory reported as follows : Teachers' meetings throughout the county had been divided into principals' association meetings three times a year at the office of the county superintendent; township institutes held four times a year under the management of the county superintendent ; general meeting of teachers, under the direction of the superintendent, once a year, at Thanksgiving. Sometimes two general meetings were held in one year. More good was accomplished at township meetings than at any other, because the teachers felt more at liberty to take part and
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express themselves. Practically all the teachers of the county were doing reading circle work, which was given a place on the program of the township meetings. Little had yet been done with the pupils' reading circle work, but the teachers were generally urging the library question with good results. At that time about two-thirds of the schools had started the collection of libraries. No practical effort to get school officers together for a general county conference had been made. School buildings generally were in good condition. The new ones were invariably excellent and up-to-date. Few schools had good grounds, the most of them being rough and uncultivated. Arbor Day was observed and then the yards were cleared and trees were planted. Throughout the county many schoolrooms were decorated and arranged in tasteful fashion. About one-third of the schools had no libraries, but a year or two later almost every school had made a commencement. In 1898 there was an average attend- ance of 3,473 pupils in the county; 76.8 per cent of the children of school age were enrolled at this time. The average wages paid males were $50.73; females, $34.76. The county school fund in 1899 amounted to $102,603.44; the estimated value of school libraries at this time, $2,466; estimated value of school apparatus, $5,945; amount of bonded school debt in the county, $19,290; estimated value of all school property, $140,650; number of schools visited by the superintendent in 1899, 115; total enrollment in 1900, 4,844. At that time there were 115 school districts in the county. In only one district that year was no school held.
The County Teachers' Institute convened at the high-school rooms in Aledo in August, 1900, and held a week's session. Professor Hurst, of Streator, had charge of the work on pedagogy, reading and geography; Superintendent Butler, of the Kewanee schools, in- structed in grammar, arithmetic and physiology; Miss Cora M. Hamilton, an expert in township high-school work, had charge of the primary classes ; Prof. C. B. Baymiller, of Seaton, conducted the singing. One hundred and fifty teachers were present.
In 1901 the text-books in ungraded schools in Mercer County were as follows : Baldwin's readers, Natural geographies, Metcalf's language and grammar, Blaisdell's physiology, Montgomery's his- tory, Modern spellers, Warner's arithmetic, New Era copy books, and Dale's American Citizen.
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